Group Participants
Ann & Emmet Berkery
Mark Brodeur
Paula Chavez
Madeline & Len Goodman
Gary Hartung
Terri Johnson & Randy Thomas
Sheila Kennedy
Jon Magson
Christa and Gary Mellinger
Joe Orte
Harriet Papayoanou
Bob Parker
Dave Scully
Gary Shepherd

THE PLACE - THE PLAN
Our selected campsite was at Morro Bay State Park, located off Route 1 and a 3 ˝ hour drive from Los Angeles, unless you are driving an '89 VW Westphalia camper, then add an hour. We could not reserve the group campsite but, thanks to Paula's early arrival, did locate three close together, sites 110, 111 and 113. The park rules stated that each site can only accommodate 8 individuals and three vehicles. The third vehicle pays a $4 charge. We had 14 vehicles amongst us, including Mark's kayak trailer. A good deal of fancy footwork enabled us to garner the sympathies of the park rangers and all went well.

Our initial plan was for the early arrivals to have a short paddle on Thursday afternoon in Morro Bay paddling to the harbor entrance. On Friday, the whole group would paddle through the estuary, under the road as far as we could and then head south and land at the dock at the small community of Baywood, have lunch and then return to the launch point. On Saturday we would drive approximately 10 miles to Olde Port Beach in Avila and launch from the beach, paddle towards Port San Luis, under the San Luis pier, swing back and paddle under the Unocal Pier, take out on the beach and portage our boats up to a small river and paddle upstream for a mile amidst a golf course, head back, launch and paddle to Pirate's Cove - a clothing optional beach, have lunch and then return to our launch point in Avila. Saturday evening would be our CKF traditional potluck. Sunday was unscheduled and would be up to each individual to go forth and multiply.

THE SAGA
If one is hosting a paddle, it is always a good plan to have a Paula Chavez along.

Paula arrived early, secured three good sites for our group and then organized the afternoon paddle. They launched from the kayak ramp and paddled to the harbor entrance pausing briefly to look for sea otters who usually congregate east of Morro Rock. The seas were flat and there was no swell so they exited the harbor briefly and then returned to the launch point. The majority arrived in late afternoon, set up camps, mingled and proceeded to dine together at the Bayside Café located a short walking distance away. The seafood was very fresh and most enjoyable. The weather forecast was for early fog and we agreed to be ready to get underway at 1000 hours.

We met at 0930, I gave a brief safety talk quoting verbatim from the CKF waiver, which states that no one necessarily knows anything about First Aid, CPR, rescue techniques, lifesaving and does not necessarily carry flares, VHF radio, signaling gear or other emergency equipment. Everyone signed the waiver and no one questioned why several of us had radios, tow ropes, flares and First Aid kits if we were not responsible?

We launched at 1030, exactly on CKF time. High tide was 1425 (2:25PM). The overall plan was to go into the estuary with the tide and start out early enough to avoid becoming landlocked.

The weather was overcast, misty, gray and cool. A perfect day for paddling. Since many of us had not paddled the previous day we headed toward the harbor entrance in the hopes of seeing the very industrious sea otters. Apparently they had a previous appointment. Nevertheless, there was a large group of immature harbor seals providing a great water dance performance amidst a dive bombing exhibit by a flock of brown pelicans. As we approached the mouth of the harbor there was a noticeable increase in wind velocity and ,as an aside, this had little to do with the cioppino from the previous evening. The mouth of Morro Bay Harbor has a reputation for having the roughest water of any harbor on the west coast. In as much as the swell was relatively mild despite the wind and reputation, eight of our group opted to paddle outside of the breakwater, probably for boasting rights. On the return, approximately noon, our group separated with the majority paddling to Baywood and then heading into the estuary. Madeline and I were in a borrowed Brodeur double kayak and along with Mark, landed at the dock of Morro Bay Kayaks. After a brief pit stop we paddled with the incoming tide into the estuary. The marshland is one of the biggest on the California coast measuring over 2400 acres and attracting over 250 species of birds. We espied cormorants, egrets, pelicans, grebes, blue herons, teals, oystercatchers and a variety of gulls. How do I know these birds? Well, I cheat. We carry a bird chart of California coastal birds.

By 4PM we all had returned, some of us took showers (hot water - 25 cents for 2 minutes) and then grouped around a campfire for Happy Hour. Various folks contributed appetizers and Paula, via her new conversion Dodge, mixed several batches of frozen margaritas. We sat around the campfire and I briefly discussed the following day's plan. I then asked each person to introduce him/herself, tell where they came from and describe the most interesting paddle they had ever undertaken. We really had an opportunity to get to know each other as the questions and remarks flew as fast as the margaritas, beer and wine were consumed. We found out that Dave Scully held an Unrestricted Master's License and was a merchant marine ship's captain. Jon (pronounced Yon) was raised in the American West Indies and talked about paddling in the Carribean. Paula related her experiences with myself on the Yukon, my sleeping as she paddled the double Feathercraft was greatly fabricated, of course. Though, as I recall, she did a lot of screaming as I fended off bears with my paddle. The fire died down, the stories lit our imaginations and each of us drifted off to our sleeping bags and a pleasantly cool evening.

On Saturday morning we were up early. One of our group, Joe Orte, a new CKF member, was not feeling well left early for home. We trust that he is doing well and will join us on future trips. The Mellingers, also new members, were staying at a nearby motel, showed up in time to join us for breakfast. We convoyed to Olde Port Beach. Gary Hartung, a new member, does not own a kayak and was concerned about a rental. Mark drove him to Central Coast Kayak and in a very short time returned with Gary and a sit on top.

The weather was similar to Friday, gray, overcast and cool. The surf was higher than my previous experience at Avila, though relatively mild. Dave, Jon and Bob were really great and waded out into the surf and helped some of our newer paddlers get up enough steam to paddle through the breaking waves with little problem. No doubt their hearts were pounding, they got wet, but the smiles were very evident as they got past the surf line. We paddled out to Port San Luis and past the very large, overfed harbor seals that were colonizing on a bait pier. From there we paddled past some very large rocks and landed on a small beach.

Shortly, we got back on the water and paralleled the breakwater as we started paddling towards open water.

We started back and paddled under the pier as it was reported that the restaurant above the pier had glass table tops and the diners could view us as we paddled underneath them. As we paddled under the pier and looked up we could actually see the glass table-tops. Dave decided to make a second pass. He claimed that there were two women dining who appeared not to be wearing any underclothes. On his second pass-thru he claimed that one of them winked at him? Sea captains do have weather eyes!

Paula, who was several hundred yards ahead of us, alerted me on VHF that she had spotted what may be a "blow" from a whale and she was going to investigate. We all turned around and within a short time confirmed what she had seen and headed in that direction. The pod of whales, there were three of them, circling just outside of the boat anchorage area about one to two miles off the shoreline. A group of us positioned ourselves a few hundred yards away from the whales and were thrilled to observe them sound and blow. They were humpbacks with a mother who was just immense and two immature young ones. We sat in our boats for 20 minutes holding our breaths, enjoying the majesty of these great creatures of the deep. This is late in the season to observe whales and it was a rare and very special treat.

It was our intention to attempt to paddle the small river just past Unocal Pier. However, the surf was breaking in this area higher than planned and the portage over the sand to the river would have been an effort, so it was decided to carry on to Pirate's Cove, about 2 miles down the coast. Along the way we viewed several large caves in the colorful cliffs. Pirate's Cove is a crescent-shaped "nude beach" protected by hundred foot cliffs, it curves for a half mile along a placid cove. Above the cliffs are a group of multi-million dollar mansions that, needless to say, detract from the beauty and ruggedness of the panorama. What is the purpose of the California Coastal Commission?

Mark was the good guy and had paddled alongside of the Mellingers. This was their first kayaking trip and they had some trepidation. There was a small surf at the cove and Mark provided both Gary and Christin with landing advice. Gary, a city fireman, did well. Christin tasted a little salt water but simply gargled and smiled. We had lunch on the beach. Terri, an ardent rock hound, had hiked up the beach to check on the rocks and came back with a quizzical look, reporting a man sitting in a beach chair, reading, with his legs spread. Rocks? After an hour we headed back to Olde Port Beach, passing under the Unocal Pier and the Avila pier. The surf had picked up, as it usually does in the afternoon on the Central Coast. Our stalwarts, Dave, Jon and Bob paddled in first and stood in the surf zone to assist the newer paddlers. Most everyone did very well. Harriet, who was paddling for the first time the love of her life, a new Kevlar QCC, 21" - 19 footer gave it quite a baptism. She must have been thinking about the drive home as she leaned towards San Diego as a left rushing wave brushed by. The QCC, being a rapidly responsive boat, immediately rolled to the right. She was awarded the famous "Kelp Award" for the wettest landing.

In summation, a few bouquets:

First, to Mark for gently assisting the new paddlers and staying with them and providing them with sound paddling advice.

Second, to Bob, Dave and Jon for getting out into the surf and helping anyone who needed some assistance.

Third, to Terri and Randy who were really good paddlers and nice folks and who pitched in whenever needed.

Fourth, to Joe Orte, who could not join us paddling but gave all of us a sumptuous variety of fruit and pies that we fully enjoyed. Joe, get well and come join us again.

Fifth, to Paula, who has a great spirit and extends herself in every manner.

Sixth, to the Berkerys, who are solid CKF members for many years, good friends of mine and always provide a ready smile and good advice.

Seventh, to Madeline, who is my lovely, sweet wife and shares my love for camping, kayaking and the outdoor life - (as long as showers and good weather prevail)

And finally, the largest bouquet to Harriet who has the patience of Job and manages to smile despite circumstances beyond her control. Hail to Harriet!

Y'all, let's do it again.
   

Pictures by Paula Chavez
Click on picture to see larger image

Bob n Morro Fog	Marko	Those Silly Adjustments
Smilin' Randy	The Goodmans	Scully
Fat harbor Seals Sunning & Barking	Deer Buck	Emmit & Nice Deer
Gary & Deer	Jon Paddles to Lunch	Scully Standing in the Surf
Safe Landing	Coming Out	Len Paddling Out of Avila
Kayakers & Whale	Hump Encounter	Whale Tail
End of Whale Tail

For more information about the Morro Bay area, check out these sites:
Morro Bay National Estuary Program
Morro Bay State Park Marina
Montana de Oro State Park
Morro Bay & the Rock
Travel for Kids: Morro Bay, California
Morro Rock What did it look like from the 1800's?